Dr Roderic Bowen Papers (GB 0210 RODBOW)

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales

Cymorth chwilio | Finding Aid - Dr Roderic Bowen Papers (GB 0210 RODBOW)

Cynhyrchir gan Access to Memory (AtoM) 2.3.0 Generated by Access to Memory (AtoM) 2.3.0 Argraffwyd: Mai 08, 2017 Printed: May 08, 2017 Wrth lunio'r disgrifiad hwn dilynwyd canllawiau ANW a seiliwyd ar ISAD(G) Ail Argraffiad; rheolau AACR2; ac LCSH This description follows NLW guidelines based on ISAD(G) Second Edition; AACR2; and LCSH. https://archifau.llyfrgell.cymru/index.php/dr-roderic-bowen-papers archives.library .wales/index.php/dr-roderic-bowen-papers

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www.llgc.org.uk Dr Roderic Bowen Papers

Tabl cynnwys | Table of contents

- Tudalen | Page 2 - GB 0210 RODBOW Dr Roderic Bowen Papers

Gwybodaeth grynodeb | Summary information

Lleoliad | Repository: Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales Teitl | Title: Dr Roderic Bowen Papers ID: GB 0210 RODBOW Virtua system control vtls004260109 number [alternative]: GEAC system control (WlAbNL)0000260109 number [alternative]: Dyddiad | Date: 1901-2002 (dyddiad creu | date of creation) Disgrifiad ffisegol | 0.028 cubic metres (3 boxes) (July 2002); 3 bundles (September 2007) Physical description: Iaith | Language: English Iaith | Language: Welsh Dyddiadau creu, golygu a dileu | Dates of creation, revision and deletion: Nodyn | Note File 13 contains papers dated after Roderic Bowen's death in 2001 [generalNote]: since they relate to the preparation of a programme on him in the Secret Papers series during 2002.

Hanes gweinyddol / Braslun bywgraffyddol | Administrative history | Biographical sketch

Nodyn | Note Evan Roderic Bowen (1913-2001), a native of Cardigan, was educated at local schools, the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth and St John's College, Cambridge. He was called to the bar by the Middle Temple in 1936 and commenced practising on the South Wales circuit in 1937. Following active service during the Second World War, Bowen was elected the Liberal MP for his native Cardiganshire in the general election of July 1945. During most of the 1950s he was one of a tiny group of only five or six Liberal MPs left at Westminster. He remained the MP for the county until his defeat in 1966. From the outset he was seen as a right-winger, strongly opposed to any flirtation with Socialism and the Labour Party. He was a witty, entertaining debater, generally popular at Westminster. At the same time Bowen continued his highly lucrative legal work, building up an extensive legal business in south Wales. He took silk in 1952, was appointed Recorder of Carmarthen in 1950 and Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales Tudalen | Page 3 GB 0210 RODBOW Dr Roderic Bowen Papers Recorder of Merthyr Tydfil in 1953. He failed to succeed Clement Davies as leader of the Liberal Party in the autumn of 1956 when Jo Grimond was chosen. Thereafter relations between the two senior Liberal Party politicians were at best frosty. Bowen became Recorder of Swansea in 1960 and Recorder of Cardiff in 1964. In October 1965, against the advice of his party hierarchy, he accepted the position of Deputy Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee at Westminster, a highly controversial decision which was hotly debated both at Westminster and in his constituency during the run-up to the 1966 general election when he was narrowly defeated by Elystan Morgan (Labour). Thereafter Roderic Bowen's involvement in party politics was at best minimal. In 1966 he was sent to Aden by George Brown to investigate interrogation procedures in the British colony. He served as National Insurance Commissioner for Wales, 1967-1986, and as a notably conscientious president of St Davids University College, Lampeter, 1977-1992. During 1971-1972 he also chaired a governmental committee set up to examine road signs policy in Wales. He was in constant demand as an adept after- dinner speaker and was a staunch supporter of the national rights of Wales.

Natur a chynnwys | Scope and content

The fonds consists of a disappointingly small group of miscellaneous papers accumulated by Dr Roderic Bowen during the course of his political career and public life. They include printed matter, 1901-1993, press cuttings, 1906-1992, speech notes, [1950]-[2000], letters, 1955-2001, and pocket diaries, 1985-2000. There are also files of papers relating to the work of the Committee of Inquiry on Bilingual Road Signs in 1972, which he chaired, and to the unsuccessful attempt to secure a knighthood for Dr Bowen in 2000-2001.

Nodiadau | Notes

Nodiadau teitl | Title notes

Ffynhonnell | Immediate source of acquisition Donated by Miss Joan Cooper, a close friend of Roderic Bowen, Cardiff, July 2002 and September 2007.; 0200208907

Trefniant | Arrangement Arranged at NLW into thirteen files arranged chronologically by and within each file.

Cyfyngiadau ar fynediad | Restrictions on access Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to sign the 'Modern papers - data protection' form.

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales Tudalen | Page 4 GB 0210 RODBOW Dr Roderic Bowen Papers Amodau rheoli defnydd | Conditions governing use Usual copyright laws apply

Rhestrau cymorth | Finding aids A hard copy of this list is available at NLW.

Disgrifiadau deunydd | Related material A substantial number of photographs and pictures are in NLW, Special Collections (0200208918). The records of the Cardiganshire Liberal Association, which include extensive files of correspondence and papers deriving from the period, 1945-1966, when Roderic Bowen represented the constituency in parliament, are also held at NLW.

Ychwanegiadau | Accruals Additional papers are unlikely.

Nodiadau eraill | Other notes • Statws cyhoeddiad | Publication status: Published

Pwyntiau mynediad | Access points

• Liberal Party (Great Britain) • Welsh Liberal Party • Bowen, Roderic -- Archives. (pwnc) | (subject) • Cardiganshire (Wales : Parliamentary constituency) (pwnc) | (subject)

Disgrifiad cyfres | Series descriptions

Cod cyfeirnod | Ref Teitl | Title Dyddiadau | Statws mynediad | Cynhwysydd | code Dates Access status Container /1 vtls004265270 File - Printed items 1901-1993 /1 (1). (WlAbNL)0000265270 /2 vtls004265274 File - Press cuttings 1906-1992 /2 (1). (WlAbNL)0000265274 /3 vtls004265315 File - Personalia and miscellanea 1920-2002 /3 (1). (WlAbNL)0000265315 /4 vtls004265319 File - Speech notes [1950]-[2000] /4 (1). (WlAbNL)0000265319 /5 vtls004265330 File - Letters to Roderic Bowen 1955-2001 /5 (2). (WlAbNL)0000265330

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales Tudalen | Page 5 GB 0210 RODBOW Dr Roderic Bowen Papers /6 vtls004265347 File - Committee of Inquiry on Bilingual 1972 /6 (2). (WlAbNL)0000265347 Road Signs /7 vtls004265388 File - British Council 1976-1980 /7 (2). (WlAbNL)0000265388 /8 vtls004265390 File - Pocket diaries 1985-2000 /8 (2). (WlAbNL)0000265390 (lacking 1986, 1994) /9 vtls004265405 File - Addresses [1990]-[2001] /9 (2). (WlAbNL)0000265405 /10 vtls004265407 File - Kate Roberts, Two Old Men 1992 /10 (2). (WlAbNL)0000265407 /11 vtls004265409 File - Knighthood 2000-2001 /11 (3). (WlAbNL)0000265409 /12 vtls004265411 File - Sympathy letters and cards 2001 /12 (3). (WlAbNL)0000265411 /13 vtls004265416 File - Secret Papers 2002 /13 (3). (WlAbNL)0000265416

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales Tudalen | Page 6